CIDP

My dad was diagnosed with CIDP about 9 months ago, and he has gone from an active 56 year old who enjoyed running, biking, swimming... to someone who is almost bedridden. He cannot move much by himself anymore, has gone on a few rounds of IVIg, but because his bp kept rising, the docs stopped it. He's trying prednisone now, but it doesn't seem to help. Does it sound like acute form, Guillin Barre? Any suggestions for specialists in the bay area or Sacramento? Thank you!


This discussion is related to inflammatory polyneuropathy.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
CIDP is characterized by loss of myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves due to immune cells which start attacking the body. Treatment mainly involves steroids and IVIG either alone or in combination with immunosuppressive therapy. Antithymocyte globulin which is an immunosuppressive agent has been found to be useful.
If these treatment options do not work, plasmapheresis is the only option. It is difficult to tell without examination as to whether it is an acute form or not. However the rapid onset of symptoms seems to suggest so.
Please check the link below it has some useful information.
http://www.bayareaneurology.com/